CLEVELAND -- Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-winning 3-pointer after rebounding his own missed free throw with 1.1 seconds to go, giving the Pacers a miracle 120-119 win over the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Rocket Arena. The Pacers take a 2-0 lead into Game 3 of the series on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Haliburton scored 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting with nine rebounds and four assists. Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner led the Pacers with 23 points each. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with an astounding 48 points. Guard Max Strus had 23 and center Jarrett Allen contributed 22.
The Pacers pulled off another miraculous finish, trailing by as many as 20 points in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth. They were still down seven with 58 seconds to go, but just as they found a way to pull out a miracle in Game 5 against the Bucks, they did it again on Tuesday.
Pascal Siakam was fouled with 48 seconds left and missed both free throws, but Aaron Nesmith flew in for a tip dunk to cut it to five. He then drew an offensive foul from Donovan Mitchell to get the Pacers the ball back. Siakam drove in for a layup to cut it to three points. On the ensuing possession, Andrew Nembhard came through with a steal on the inbound, much like against Milwaukee.
Haliburton drew a foul and missed the second of two free throws with 12 seconds left, but got his own rebound, stepped back, and drilled a 3-pointer to win the game.
The Pacers' first quarter was a struggle, with coach Rick Carlisle emphasizing before the game that the Cavaliers, despite missing key players, would be a tough opponent. The Pacers made their first three shots of Game 2 but then faltered, making just two of their last 13 field goals and being outscored 30-8 after a 7-2 start. They ended the first quarter shooting 5-of-16 from the floor and 1-of-8 from 3, with nine turnovers, for a dismal 0.61 points per possession.
The Cavaliers, on the other hand, took advantage of the Pacers' struggles, finishing the half on a 16-2 run to lead 32-15 after one quarter. The Cavs shot 10-of-22, 4-of-8 from 3, and 8-of-9 from the line for 1.19 points per possession.
Bennedict Mathurin, in his first five career playoff games after missing last year's postseason with a torn labrum, finally found his rhythm in the second half. After a quiet first half, he scored 19 points in 20 minutes on 6-of-10 shooting, including a crucial 3-pointer and an athletic tip-dunk.
Haliburton's late-game heroics marked the second consecutive game where he stepped up in crunch time. He scored 22 points in the series opener, including a go-ahead 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter. “Obviously, we got lucky. Ty hit another amazing shot to win the game,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “You don’t see this very often, let alone twice in one week. Tyrese, he came through again. We’re very fortunate.”
For the Cavaliers, despite the defeat, Mitchell's performance was remarkable, as he amassed 48 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and four steals. He made 15 of 30 field goal attempts and was 17-of-21 on free throws, setting career highs for free throws made and attempted. However, the Cavs struggled from beyond the arc, going just 11-of-39 for the game.
Mitchell's efforts, however, were not enough to secure a victory, especially given the Cavaliers' injury woes. They were without NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, All-Star point guard Darius Garland, and key reserve De'Andre Hunter. Mobley suffered a left ankle sprain, while Garland has been sidelined since April 23 due to a toe injury, and Hunter was injured in Game 1.
After Max Strus hit a three-pointer to give the Cavs a 117-110 lead with 1:06 left, it seemed the game was in their grasp. Yet, the Pacers scored the final eight points, showcasing their resilience and determination. “It’s hard to put all this in words,” Carlisle said. “Cleveland hit us with a hellacious punch early in the game. In the fourth, we just hung on. We maintained enough energy to get it done. Give the guys credit, they somehow found a way.”
As the series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3, the Cavaliers face an uphill battle. They are down 2-0 in the series, marking the first time they have lost the first two games of a playoff series at home since 1996. The pressure is on as they look to bounce back against the determined Pacers, who are riding high on their recent success.
With both teams battling injuries and the stakes rising, the upcoming games promise to be filled with excitement and drama. The Pacers, buoyed by their recent performances, will aim to maintain their momentum, while the Cavaliers will need to regroup and find a way to capitalize on their home court advantage.
